More than 1.5 million children enrolled in child development centers (CDCs) and supervised neighborhood play (SNP) were served by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) in 2025.
The SFP is implemented in coordination with local government units (LGUS) to improve the nutrition and health of children across the country.
Last year, the SFP served a total of 1,587,295 children nationwide with a budget of over PHP5 billion.
“The Marcos administration has been staunch in its efforts to improve the nutritional status of children by strengthening the SFP,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a news release on Tuesday.
The SFP provides nutritious meals to children aged 3 to 5 years who are currently enrolled in CDCs, and children aged 2 to 4 years in SNP using indigenous or locally-produced food equivalent to 1/3 of the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI).
The children receive at least one fortified meal for a period of not less than 120 days in a year.
Dumlao said the SFP is part of the agency’s contributions to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the national government and Republic Act No. 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act.
“Last year, the DSWD increased the cost per hot meals of the children from PHP15 to PHP25 for improved nutritional value. This is aligned with the thrust and priorities mentioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to further improve the programs that will support the growth and development of children, while ensuring food security,” she said.
The SFP likewise conducts nutrition and health education to advance the knowledge, attitude and practice of children, parents and caregivers in sustaining the target children’s nutritional status.
Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the DSWD received a budget allocation of more than PHP9.5 billion to cater to the nutritional needs of over 1.8 million day-care children nationwide through the implementation of the SFP. (PNA)